Quieter times: No historical wait time data is available for this facility. As a small rural emergency department, mornings on weekdays tend to be quieter in comparable rural hospitals. For non-life-threatening concerns, arriving earlier in the day may result in shorter waits.
Busier times: Like most emergency departments, evenings, weekends, and holidays may see higher patient volumes. If your condition is not immediately life-threatening, consider calling the hospital or contacting 811 (BC HealthLink) before visiting to determine the best time and care setting for your needs.
Haida Gwaii Hospital and Health Centre (Xaayda Gwaay Ngaaysdll Naay) is the sole hospital serving the remote Haida Gwaii archipelago, located at 3209 Oceanview Drive in Daajing Giids (Queen Charlotte), BC, and operated by Northern Health. The emergency department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing acute care, low-risk obstetrics, lab, medical imaging, pharmacy services, and access to the Haida Gwaii Cancer Care program for a population of approximately 3,000 residents. Patients requiring high-acuity specialty care such as major trauma, cardiac intervention, or complex neurology should be prepared for potential transport by air or ferry to Prince Rupert or Vancouver.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department, Acute care (8 beds), Low-risk obstetrics and maternity care (labour, delivery, and recovery suite), Laboratory services, Medical imaging / diagnostic imaging, Pharmacy, Long-term care (8 beds), Mental health and substance use programs, Home and community care, Haida Gwaii Cancer Care program (chemotherapy), Visiting specialist clinics, Ambulatory and primary care services.
Amenities
On-site pharmacy
Laboratory
Medical imaging / radiology
Wheelchair accessible facility
WiFi
Single-bed patient rooms with private washrooms
Secure patient patio with ocean views
Outdoor patios accessible to patients, staff, and visitors
Stand-alone cedar-built mortuary house (traditional Haida design)
Traditional Haida artwork and design elements throughout
Call ahead at 250-559-4900 if your situation is non-life-threatening — the care team can advise whether an ER visit, clinic appointment, or telehealth option is most appropriate.
If you or a family member may require specialist care beyond what is available on-island, be prepared for potential air or ferry transport to Prince Rupert or Vancouver for higher-level services such as cardiac intervention or major trauma care.
Bring a complete list of your current medications, as the pharmacy and on-call physicians will need an accurate picture of your health history, especially if you are visiting from off-island.
Visiting specialists periodically serve Haida Gwaii — if your condition is non-urgent, ask your family physician whether waiting for a specialist visit on-island is an option rather than travelling off-island.
BC Ferries schedules and weather conditions can affect evacuation timelines; if you have a chronic or serious condition, discuss an emergency action plan with your local health provider before a crisis occurs.
What to Bring
BC Services Card (CareCard) or provincial health insurance information
Government-issued photo ID
List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
Any relevant medical records, specialist letters, or imaging from other facilities
Emergency contact information for a family member or friend
Comfortable clothing and a warm layer (island weather can be unpredictable)
Snacks and water for a potential wait, especially if travelling from a remote part of the islands
Phone charger or portable battery, particularly important given the remote location
Parking
On-site surface parking is available at the hospital. Given the small, rural community setting, parking is expected to be straightforward. Contact the hospital at 250-559-4900 to confirm any fees or accessibility spaces.
Getting There
There is no documented public transit service to Haida Gwaii Hospital. Haida Gwaii is a remote island archipelago accessible via BC Ferries or small aircraft. Access to the hospital within the islands is primarily by personal vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Haida Gwaii Hospital have a 24-hour emergency department?
Yes. The emergency department at Haida Gwaii Hospital and Health Centre in Daajing Giids (Queen Charlotte) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
What happens if I need specialist care that is not available on Haida Gwaii?
For conditions requiring higher-level specialty care — such as major trauma, cardiac procedures, or complex neurology — patients are typically transported by air medevac or BC Ferries to facilities in Prince Rupert or Vancouver. The hospital team will coordinate this transfer for you.
Can I receive cancer treatment at Haida Gwaii Hospital without travelling off-island?
Yes. Haida Gwaii Hospital is the hub of the Haida Gwaii Cancer Care program, which provides most chemotherapy treatments locally so that residents do not need to travel off-island for this care.
Does the hospital offer maternity services?
Yes. The hospital provides low-risk obstetrical care and includes a dedicated labour, delivery, and recovery suite. Higher-risk pregnancies may require transfer to a facility with more advanced neonatal or obstetrical services.
Is Haida Gwaii Hospital wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The facility is fully wheelchair accessible. It is a modern two-storey building opened in 2016, designed with accessibility in mind, including single-bed patient rooms with private washrooms and accessible outdoor patio spaces.
How do I get to Haida Gwaii Hospital if I am visiting or new to the islands?
The hospital is located at 3209 Oceanview Drive in Daajing Giids (Queen Charlotte), BC. There is no public transit service on Haida Gwaii; personal vehicle is the primary means of getting to the hospital. Haida Gwaii is accessible from the BC mainland via BC Ferries (from Prince Rupert) or by small aircraft.
Emergency departments use triage. Patients with more serious conditions are seen first, regardless of arrival time.
Wait times are estimates based on British Columbia health data. Actual wait times may vary.
This hospital does not publish a live wait, so the figure above comes from our model rather than from its own feed. We publish how that model performs where it can be checked, at the hospitals that do publish. See the accuracy scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
Something wrong on this page?
Incorrect hours, wrong address, or outdated information? Let us know.